Hungary: Schnapps Galore! | European Journal

Hungary now allows its citizens to distill schnapps for private use without the need for a special license or to pay tax. However, physicians and commercial distilleries are against the change.Since autumn 2010 Hungarians can distill up to 50 liters of strong alcohol schnapps or up to 100 liters of schnapps containing 43 per cent alcohol. The government decided to ease restrictions on distilling as a gesture of thanks for the support it received from rural voters in elections. But it's a decision that goes against conventional thinking on public health policy as alcohol abuse is a cause of major concern in Hungary. Commercial distillery owners also oppose the decision. One company, however, is adapting to the situation and is now offering the public courses in distillation with the aim of reducing cases of alcohol poisoning.